Traditions, Cash, T/C, Pedersoli or ?

[Al Bently]

When it comes to things like cappers, powder measures, powder flasks and the like, which manufacturer makes the best stuff?

I suspect there are 1-2 models of each item that truly are the best -- whether they be expensive or inexpensive. I would appreciate hearing some insight. Thanks.

 

[Billnpatti]

Ted Cash makes some darned good stuff. I have always been more than satisfied with every piece of equipment I have ever gotten from him.

 

[Lorne Johnson]

Cash makes damn good cappers. I have two of his oval cappers.

TOW has some repo Hawksley powder flasks that I like. Better made and better lasting than others I have used. The shot flask heads that I have seen work best are Pedersoli.

Others mileage may vary . . .

 

[Al Bently]

The reason I'm asking this is because often there are "standards of the industry" when it comes to anything. Those who makes the best powder flask might not make the best capper or the best powder measures -- and it's certainly not always the case of being the most expensive.

It can take a lot of time and $$$ to figure out the "hot set-up." I was surfing through Cabela's and I noticed that some of the most highly rated (by customers) cappers, flasks and measures were their house brand (possibly made by "Traditions"?) and cost a lot less than the name brands.

 

[necchi]

Depends, do you want highly rated because it's cheap and works or do you want nice?

That is a quandary when folks start out, we all figure we need all these gadgets to get the job done right.
Then we gain more experience and find out we can do it all with less and become like a minimalist with a few quality items in hand,
Ted Cash.

 

[Al Bently]

Depends, do you want highly rated because it's cheap and works or do you want nice?

That is a quandary when folks start out, we all figure we need all these gadgets to get the job done right.
Then we gain more experience and find out we can do it all with less and become like a minimalist with a few quality items in hand,
Ted Cash.

I'm not sure about your "cheap"/"works" vs. "nice" distinction?

I want tools that work well and last -- whether they are expensive or inexpensive. No quandary there except that it can be expensive/time-consuming to figure out what actually does work and last best.

My kit is extremely frugal because I'm trying to figure out what actually works before I buy very much.

My two powder flasks are air-tight former mustard dispensers. My powder measures are a collection of empty .223/.243/.270/.308/.30-06/.375 H&H and .458 WM brass.

I made my own ram-rod using a 1/2" dowel, a .44 RM case, some epoxy and a $.99 wooden knob from a craft store along with a touch of Watco Oil.

I did buy a new cleaning jag, patch extractor and ball extractor which will fit one of my existing cleaning rods.

I also bought a yard of cotton ticking for patches. We'll see how they work compared to the store patches that came with the gun. Finally I bought a small misting bottle for the moose milk I mixed-up.

 

[Al Bently]

In very specific terms I would like to hear peoples' opinions about the following for shooting a muzzle-loading rifle and (single shot) pistol:

* Traditions vs. Cash powder measures with the built in funnels. (The built-in funnels seem heavily favored by most.)

* "Snail" vs. "in-line" vs. "Famous Rifle" vs. "Star 7 Capper" cappers?

* If it's a "snail" or "in-line", I would like to know the preferred brand.

 

[azmntman]

Be real careful with the dowel as a ramrod, grain run out and rod breaks and ER trip in store to remove a piece of wood from yer forearm :shocked2:

 

[dikman]

My only experience is with a Ted Cash inline capper. (I have an 1858 revolver, so could only use an inline capper). It's a very nice piece of work, but I figured I could copy it and make one myself. I did, but it was a lot of messing around so I simply bought another one - much easier. If you know that you'll never need to load an 1858 revolver then a snail-type would probably be better.

The Ted Cash stuff is very good quality (and US made, if that's important to you).

 

[Rat Trapper]

I bought a Cash capper this year and have to say it is top notch. The TC star seven is a very good capper for use in the field. But the TC star seven is not HC or PC, yet it works. For use at the range I like the Cash capper as it works very well, and holds lots of caps.

 

[Grenadier1758]

When considering a capper for a rifle, the Ted Cash oval capper is the best. It holds about 80 caps. You can dump your caps in the open capper, shake the capper to get most if not all of the caps upright and the springs hold the cap in place for placing on the nipple.

For cheap, effective and long lasting, I don't think you will do much better than your mustard bottles. You need to load from a flask to a measure. The best flask was part of an integrated system that dropped powder into a measure. My horn has a spring valve that releases powder to my measure. My most used measures are the ones with the swing over funnel. Once you start using a measure stay with that one funnel as each one can measure out different volumes of powder.

Your ramrod of 1/2" diameter should hold up for most use. Hardware dowel rods are not consistent in grain run out and are prone to breakage. Go to the plumbing section of your hardware store and get a 1/2" pipe fitting to use as a muzzle protector. Use a permanent marker to mark the rod to the breech so you can tell if you have loaded powder.

Get some inexpensive safety glasses and hearing protection. This can be the foam plugs or a set of ear muffs or use both.

You really don't need the most expensive gear for this to be an enjoyable hobby.

 

[BrownBear]

I have both Traditions and Cash inline cappers. No comparison. Buy the Cash.

I have a Cash snail capper too. I leave both the inlines behind and use the Cash snail. Most reliable and easy to use of all.

 

[Billnpatti]

Ooooh.....dowel as a ramrod.....BAD IDEA!!!! REALLY BAD IDEA!! :nono: :shake: :td: Those things are very dangerous. Under pressure of loading a recalcitrant ball, they can very easily break and that will often result in a trip to the ER to remove the dowel from your arm or hand. It is far better to spend the money on a metal or synthetic rod than it is to spend it on medical bills. If you want to be authentic and use wood for your rod, use only straight grain hickory. They are pretty cheap and readily available. :hatsoff:

 

[Al Bently]

When considering a capper for a rifle, the Ted Cash oval capper is the best. It holds about 80 caps. You can dump your caps in the open capper, shake the capper to get most if not all of the caps upright and the springs hold the cap in place for placing on the nipple.

For cheap, effective and long lasting, I don't think you will do much better than your mustard bottles. You need to load from a flask to a measure. The best flask was part of an integrated system that dropped powder into a measure. My horn has a spring valve that releases powder to my measure. My most used measures are the ones with the swing over funnel. Once you start using a measure stay with that one funnel as each one can measure out different volumes of powder.

Your ramrod of 1/2" diameter should hold up for most use. Hardware dowel rods are not consistent in grain run out and are prone to breakage. Go to the plumbing section of your hardware store and get a 1/2" pipe fitting to use as a muzzle protector. Use a permanent marker to mark the rod to the breech so you can tell if you have loaded powder.

Get some inexpensive safety glasses and hearing protection. This can be the foam plugs or a set of ear muffs or use both.

You really don't need the most expensive gear for this to be an enjoyable hobby.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I already have all sorts of safety gear as I have been shooting smokeless for years.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Calgunner, when I started out I bought every trinket, bell and whistle I could find I have a whole box full of junk. It gets tiresome packing around a truckload of tools like you were a Snap-on tool salesman.
Now everything I need fits into my pocket and I very often go shooting just like that.
Many people have different gear for bench shooting and for hunting ”¦”¦.some use the same.
I use what I use because I like it and it fits my particular needs.

 

[Grenadier1758]

One more comment with respect to powder measures. A few years back (July 2001) I measured out 100 grains of powder using 10 different measures. All of the measures were calibrated for GOEX fffg. On all techniques, the method was the means to the least deviation in measure. My lowest standard deviation was 0.4 grains (GOEX fffg) using a tube gauge with plunger with a detached funnel and tapping the side 3 times with my patch knife. The same measure for GOEX ffg had a deviation of 1 grain. With all measures tested, I had a deviation of 1 grain. What was interesting was the difference in weights. All measures were set for 100 grains. The average measured weights (10 trials) ranged from 89 to 107. That is one reason to always use the same gauge when you shoot.

When using a volume gauge, the fffg will have the least deviation load to load. Technique such as settling the powder in the measure will reduce the deviation. The larger diameter tubes will be the most accurate. I was surprised that the measure integrated with a valve on the powder can had a higher standard deviation than several of the tubes.

So, with all that said, get a tube and plunger measure. Use a measuring technique to settle the powder in the measure before leveling the powder.

I do like measures with some sort of attached funnel when pouring powder in the bore. I have less waste of powder using the measure that is integrated with the valve on the powder can.

One of these days I will have to update my measurements.

 

[bubba.50]

never used a capper so can't comment on good they do/don't work. for a flask I use one of the spring loaded flask caps that fit a goex can in place of the lid. works good. for measures I have three. 1. a T/C with the spring ring that adjusts by pushin'/pullin' to the desired load. well made & works good but, only adjusts in 10gr increments & the openin' is kinda wide for use in smaller calibers. 2. a CVA plunger type adjustable with the thumbscrew & swing-over funnel. not the prettiest but it's my favorite & works well with all calibers. the narrow body makes it a little harder to fill til ya get used to it. 3. a T/C with a knurled lock-ring & slide over funnel. big & bulky & the grating slide of the funnel tends to bounce a grain or two out when slidin' it over. my least favorite & I'd about give it away for postage.

my opinions & yer welcome to'em, bubba.

 

[hanshi]

The best cappers I've used so far have been the leather ones I made. Never used a Cash capper but did [strike]use[/strike] try a cheap inline capper, ugh!

Here's two of them before I modified them with small notches.

 

[Bear Rider]

Calgun, I second the recommendation of the Cash oval capper for rifles and shotguns. Mine has been in use for thirty years and is still going strong. Capping with it becomes an unconscious operation -- akin to turning a door latch.

For matches, I hung mine on a leather thong around my neck.

 

[Al Bently]

never used a capper so can't comment on good they do/don't work. for a flask I use one of the spring loaded flask caps that fit a goex can in place of the lid. works good. for measures I have three. 1. a T/C with the spring ring that adjusts by pushin'/pullin' to the desired load. well made & works good but, only adjusts in 10gr increments & the openin' is kinda wide for use in smaller calibers. 2. a CVA plunger type adjustable with the thumbscrew & swing-over funnel. not the prettiest but it's my favorite & works well with all calibers. the narrow body makes it a little harder to fill til ya get used to it. 3. a T/C with a knurled lock-ring & slide over funnel. big & bulky & the grating slide of the funnel tends to bounce a grain or two out when slidin' it over. my least favorite & I'd about give it away for postage.

my opinions & yer welcome to'em, bubba.

Thanks for the first hand experience write-up!